Our view: Big plans for Habitat

Through the years, the organization has helped numerous families find housing and, in recent years, fixed up homes in neighborhoods that were in need of repair.

“Today is a very historic day for our organization as we were incorporated exactly 25 years ago to provide safe, affordable housing to the residents of Midland County who are in need,” said Jennifer Chappel, executive director of Midland County Habitat for Humanity, at a recent event marking the anniversary. “To date, we’ve built over 70 affordable homes, we’ve revitalized over 100 and we’ve partnered with and served over 175 families in the Midland community.”

But rather than simply reflect on the milestone, Habitat is using it as motivation to do even more. The organization is looking to raise a million dollars in a four-year fundraising campaign.

“Our work is not done; that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Chappel said.

The million dollars would enable Habitat to build 16 homes in the next four years. The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative also would continue, with a goal of helping the owners of 25 homes in the Carpenter Elementary School neighborhood in 2014 and an additional 75 during the campaign.

The community’s support is needed in terms of volunteer hours and monetary donations.

“If it weren’t for the volunteers as well as different organizations supporting our organization, we would truly not be able to do what we do,” Chappel said. “It takes an entire community to do the work that we do here at Midland County Habitat for Humanity.”

The need is there and we applaud Habitat for using its anniversary as a rallying point to further its mission.